Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Luckily for Gilbert, in order for his face to express different emotions, he has to make relatively large facial movements. Small changes are hard to execute with his almost nonexistent facial muscles, and being false means his reactions are always a bit slow.

This way, Hill can ensure that even a slight smile doesn’t appear on his face...though he doesn’t really care if he’s caught or not; it’s just better to do it later.

There’s nothing he can do; children’s reactions are just more adorable: upon hearing Hill’s words, Russell’s instantly focused and then floating gaze clearly indicated he was silently cursing and then realizing where he was, subsequently trying hard to control his emotions.

Not to mention Carpenter, who, upon hearing Hill’s words, immediately buried her face behind her brother’s back, clearly shivering.

Hill, who had controlled himself earlier, spoke in a very calm tone when the two children lifted their heads, ”Since it’s the same system, naturally it’s connected in some way that you can’t see or touch, but which actually exists.

But it’s difficult to explain this when you haven’t grasped the laws.

The simplest method is simply to use it continuously yourself.

Ring 0 spells are the foundation.

Even when reaching the Archmage stage, when it’s time to get closer to the core of spells, the vast majority of mages fall back to splitting from Ring 0.

The simplest and most direct method is to turn Ring 0 spells into an instinct, achieving casting simply by desire and thought.

If you can’t even achieve this basic step, how can you possibly understand the connections between spells?

But since you want to know, the only solution is to go back and keep casting spells; then there’s a little leeway for you.

Originally, I was planning to have you familiarize yourself with protection spells first...but since you show such interest in transmutation spells, for the next seven days, you should start practicing these two transmutation spells first!

Of course, I won’t set high expectations for apprentices.

However, this is, after all, a single action spell; changing the palm posture to the finger posture is still quite simple.

Next time you come here, I hope I can see it.”

Russell feels he doesn’t need to consider ”later” at all, as he’ll be exhausted to death by this terrifying teacher before then.

Other issues are easy enough to resolve.

Though most Ring 0 spells are performed with single gestures combined with the simplest of rune words, there will inevitably be inexplicable spots...like when the finger clearly pinching on the middle finger can cast a spell, why does it have to be placed two-thirds down; he doesn’t feel the angle change makes any difference in spell release.

To have understood spells to such a degree in just a few days while learning most of the Ring 0 spells...this child indeed has patience and determination.

This certainly required testing bit by bit to figure out.

Hill floated a book over to him: ”What you learned before was single gestures, without any change in the pinching action, so that’s why you have these doubts.

But when studying Ring 1 spells, although still a single gesture, you’ll have to complement with rune formations pinching gestures, and placing it lower makes switching to a new finger easier.

Moreover, if using the same type of rune might require the same finger, a slightly modified finger position can prevent mispronouncing the rune.

This is all based on mages’ years of casting experience; while it’s not strictly necessary, it is indeed a better way for low-rank mages to learn spells.”

Russell nodded lightly, then asked with some expectation: ”Teacher, I saw you use some spells without chanting or finger-pinching gestures?

When I become an official mage, can I do the same?”

Hill blinked before replying seriously: ”Even as Archmage Ruth’s student, not everyone can streamline some spells before Level 10, performing them with just a flick of spiritual power.

That requires understanding the rune groups composing spells to such an extent that they can be constructed in the mental sea without thought.

Also, you need to be thoroughly familiar with your spiritual power to ensure no fluctuating sizes while drawing runes in the mental sea.

Most mages manage quick casting...replacing rune sequences needing 10 seconds with a concise fixed term is good.

As for how far you can go in the future, hehe~

That’s something you need to work on yourself, thoroughly understanding yourself to achieve, so whether you can do it at a low rank, I can’t give you a definitive answer.”

Russell gently hugged his notebook: ”I’ll try my best.”

Carpenter, who had been listening in, suddenly tugged at the corner of his robe.

”Don’t worry.” Russell reached over to touch his sister leaning beside him, ”I’ll proceed step by step.

Quick casting is just the first step.”

Carpenter looked up at her brother: ”Learning spells well first, ensuring no casting failures happen, that’s the first step, right?”

Russell couldn’t help being stunned for a moment.

Then he turned directly to his expressionless teacher: ”Teacher, I was wrong.”

His tone had a hint of heaviness amidst the seriousness, ”I’ll follow the teacher’s instructions, first master all spell casting before considering the future.”

Hill nodded: ”So, now, you can cast all the spells you’ve learned here once.”

Then he slowly closed his eyes, silently awaiting.

Hill was really a bit surprised: Carpenter never steals Russell’s spotlight, and he thought the girl would wait to remind her brother after returning...just able to tug on the robe was surprising enough for Hill.

Yet when Russell didn’t understand her little gesture, Carpenter unexpectedly chose to speak directly.

Hill could see the concern for her brother in the young lady’s eyes...she must feel Russell’s recent successes have gone to his head, leading to such an impulsive saying.

This shouldn’t be said by an apprentice who hasn’t learned Ring 1 spells.

Compared to Russell, who always succeeds, Carpenter, who often fails, is calmer at this moment.

While Russell was overly enthusiastic, the girl had already hidden behind her brother observing Hill’s expression.

Hill didn’t know if she could genuinely observe such subtle expressions on a face with nothing but skin, or if her crisis sense was naturally strong, but she indeed seemed to have noticed something.

If Russell continued, Hill had intended to throw him into the Meditation Chamber, letting him experience those rune-only days.

After all, only this way could a high-level apprentice understand the diversity of runes, imprinting deeply.

Though the girl seems more inclined to hide herself, likely sensing her talent isn’t quite good, she doesn’t want to present her cleverness and wit before confirming Hill’s perception of her.

Hill could understand this girl’s thought: a girl with some talent that’s not top-notch like her is easily married off in noble families or mage towers.

Especially those smart yet vulnerable girls, indeed quite useful.

Of course, when finding no other path, this path isn’t unfeasible.

In a world where disaster could strike anytime, surviving is most crucial.

Hill could feel this girl’s sensitive yet sharp emotional world...her aura was filled with faint sorrow and resolve.

So he could also understand Carpenter’s first response anywhere: hide herself and observe the environment before acting.

Sensing each spell released by Russell, Hill subtly adjusted his plans for Carpenter...though this girl’s talent is lacking, she might start learning with illusion techniques.

Such keen observation abilities suit illusion techniques’ requirements well.

Of course, it’s because of this girl’s pleasing demeanor that Hill would spare some effort for her rather than treat Carpenter merely as an appendage to Russell.

Hill gently raised his hand to halt Russell’s actions: ”There’s nothing wrong with the spell rune, your gestures aren’t quite right.

Of course, from your questions, I can see the reason.

So today, I won’t address this issue; you go back and practice again.

Next time you come, what I want to see is a set of actions fully meeting the standard, understood?”

”Yes, Teacher.” Russell performed a formal mage ceremony, ”I will never again act blindly.”

”Carpenter.”

”Hm? Ah...Yes, Teacher.”

”Take this ’Initial Interpretation of Illusions’ back, check the data on unclear parts...the first bookshelf has five volumes of analysis related to this book.

Next time you return, I hope you’ve learned at least one of the Sound Illusion Technique or Silent Portal...if you feel you can master Dismaying Gaze as well, of course, go ahead.

Exactly, you two can learn together.

Understood?”

”Yes, Teacher!” Carpenter couldn’t help shivering as she answered, clearly very nervous.

Contrarily, Russell beside her exhaled deeply, apparently also worried about Carpenter’s standing in Hill’s eyes, especially since last time Hill hadn’t mentioned the girl at all.